Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Adam Kinzinger
Public opinion and media debates around Adam Kinzinger—discover key moments of controversy.
Adam Kinzinger is an American politician, political commentator for CNN, and former Air National Guard lieutenant colonel. He served as a U.S. Representative for Illinois from 2011 to 2023, initially representing the 11th and later the 16th congressional district. A Republican, Kinzinger gained prominence for his vocal criticism of Donald Trump and his role on the January 6th Committee. His stance often put him at odds with his own party, marking him as a notable voice and figure within contemporary American politics.
August 3, 2016: Publicly Announced He Would Not Support Donald Trump
On August 3, 2016, Adam Kinzinger announced publicly that he would not support GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.
December 2020: Denounced Trump's claims of election fraud
In December 2020, Adam Kinzinger denounced Trump's claims that the election was stolen, criticized Trump's attempt to overturn the results, and called for Trump to delete his Twitter account.
2020: Opposed Trump's Claims of Voter Fraud
After President Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, Adam Kinzinger became known for his vocal opposition to Trump's claims of voter fraud.
2020: Testimony Featuring Trump Trying to Overturn Election
The June 23, 2022, hearing featured testimony from former Department of Justice officials describing how Trump tried to enlist them in his fight to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
January 7, 2021: Called for Trump's removal from office
On January 7, 2021, Adam Kinzinger became the first Republican member of the House to call for Trump's removal from office via the 25th Amendment following the storming of the U.S. Capitol.
February 4, 2021: Voted to Strip Marjorie Taylor Greene of Committee Assignments
On February 4, 2021, Adam Kinzinger joined 10 other Republican House members voting with all voting Democrats to strip Marjorie Taylor Greene of her House Education and Labor Committee and House Budget Committee assignments.
February 24, 2021: Responded to Marjorie Taylor Greene's sign
On February 24, 2021, Adam Kinzinger responded to Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's sign outside her office with a quote-tweet expressing sadness and criticizing her "hate and fame driven politics".
July 1, 2021: Voiced Disdain About Sanctions
On July 1, 2021, Kinzinger voiced disdain about sanctions threatened by Republican leadership against Republican lawmakers who would participate in a House committee to investigate the Capitol attack.
September 5, 2021: Interview on CNN's State of the Union
On September 5, 2021, during an interview on CNN's State of the Union, Adam Kinzinger said his party "desperately needs to tell the truth".
October 21, 2021: Voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress
On October 21, 2021, Adam Kinzinger was one of nine House Republicans to vote to hold Trump ally Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena from the January 6 Committee.
November 14, 2021: Expressed regret for vote against Trump's first impeachment
On November 14, 2021, Adam Kinzinger said he regretted voting against Trump's first impeachment and called Tucker Carlson a "manipulative son of a bitch".
2021: Impeachment Vote and January 6th Committee
In 2021, Adam Kinzinger voted to impeach Donald Trump for incitement of insurrection. He was also appointed to the select committee investigating the January 6th United States Capitol attack.
February 4, 2022: RNC Censured Kinzinger for Jan 6 Investigation
On February 4, 2022, the Republican National Committee (RNC) censured Adam Kinzinger, along with Representative Liz Cheney, for participating in the House investigation of the Capitol assault on January 6, 2021.
February 2022: Supported providing aid to Ukraine
In February 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Adam Kinzinger supported providing aid to Ukraine and criticized Republicans who opposed the aid.
August 16, 2022: Claimed some people equate Trump with Jesus Christ
On August 16, 2022, Adam Kinzinger claimed that some people have equated Trump with Jesus Christ, saying that opposing Trump is seen as opposing Christian values.
December 15, 2022: Farewell Address to Congress
On December 15, 2022, Adam Kinzinger delivered his farewell address to Congress, cautioning against conspiracy theories, falsehoods, threats to democracy, and rising authoritarianism, while criticizing the Republican Party.
2022: J6 Panel
In 2022, during the January 6th panel, Kinzinger criticized Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Matt Gaetz and Rep. Scott Perry.
October 2024: Shooting Range Incident
In October 2024, Adam Kinzinger was involved in an accidental shooting range incident in Missouri with Lucas Kunce where a bullet fragment hit a TV reporter, causing a minor wound.
January 20, 2025: Preemptive Pardon Announced
On January 20, 2025, President Joe Biden preemptively pardoned January 6th Committee members, including Kinzinger, from potential future prosecution by the incoming Trump administration.
